Love at First Fight

Chapter 10

Indi's phone rang as she got into her jeep to head home. Karmen was staying after school to help plan for the winter formal, so she was getting a ride from someone else on the dance committee.

"Hey, Mom." Indi said, as she answered her phone.

"Hey, hon. Listen, I forgot some things at the store. Could you pick them up for me? Please?" Her mom drew out the please in a way she knew Indi couldn't resist.

"Of course." Indi said. "What do you need?"

"I'll text you the list!"

"Okay." Indi told her mother goodbye and then waited for her text.

Geez, Indi thought, scanning the message. How had she managed to forget this much stuff?

After braving the busy grocery store and managing to find everything on her mother's list, Indi was struggling to get some of the heavier items in her car.

"You need help?"

Indi squeezed her eyes shut. You've gotta be kidding me. The boy was everywhere. Reluctantly, she turned to see him leaning against his truck, which was parked right next to her.

"No, thank you." She told him, her tone polite and formal.

She struggled for a minute longer before she heard Kai sigh and felt him approach her. He took the bags from her and grumbled, "There's no need to be so stubborn."

Indi rolled her eyes at the irony of him saying that to her. Kai easily fit everything into her car and when he was done they both reached to close the door.

As their hands touched, Indi immediately jerked away at the feel of his skin on hers. The heat from his touch traveled all the way up her arm and into her cheeks. She cleared her throat and turned away quickly so he wouldn't see her blush.

"So, uh, thanks for the help." Indi said, awkwardly, as she tried to make her escape. In her hurry, she almost missed the step into her car.

"Um, bye." She heard Kai say, as she slammed the door behind her. Indi laid her forehead on her steering wheel and wallowed in her awkwardness for a moment before driving away.

When Indi got home, she carried as many groceries into the house as she could carry. Passing Grey, she sent him to get the rest.

"Mom!" She called out.

"Kitchen!" Her mom yelled back.

"How did you forget so much stuff?" Indi asked her mom, as she set everything down in the kitchen.

"Oh, I didn't forget it all. When I got home, your father decided that, before it gets too much colder, he wanted to have a cookout, and I hadn't gotten anything for a cookout, so.." Her mom trailed off with a wave of her hand.

"I see." Indi said, distracted by the thought that her dad would actually be home for dinner. "So, can I invite Karmen?"

"Of course." Indi's mom responded and added casually, "Oh, and I invited those nice boys from across the street."

Indi looked up at her mom, dread making her stomach tie in knots. At least, she was pretty sure it was dread making her stomach flutter.

"You did what, now?" Indi asked. She must have sounded too alarmed because her mom turned to look at her, her eyebrows raised.

"The boys across the street. I invited them. Is that a problem?" Her mom was managing to keep her face serious, but Indi could see a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

"Yes, yes. I mean, no, not a problem. Okay." Indi waved her hand and began backing out of the kitchen, laughing awkwardly. "I just have to go... do... things." She finished lamely, her distracted mind not able to come up with a good excuse.

She saw her mom smirk, but kept silent as she returned her attention to the groceries.

Indi ran up to her room and leaned against her bedroom door. Maybe she was being dramatic, but there was just something about the thought of Kai being here, in her house, with her family, that made her super nervous. Not to mention the fact that she couldn't interact with him without turning into a crazy mess.

Pushing off from the door, Indi went to her closet to find something better to put on than the shorts and t-shirt she was wearing. She donned a cute sundress and struggled to fix her hair as she texted Karmen and demanded she come to dinner.

Karmen texted her back quickly, curious as to why she was being so pushy about it. Indi told her what her mother had done and Karmen texted back three laughing emojis. Three. Indi rolled her eyes. Karmen was going to be no help, she could already tell.

Author's note: Let me know what y'all are thinking! Vote if you like it!